Samsung Galaxy Note II software is as big as the hardware (gallery)

Summary: The hardware is fantastic, but it's really the software that sets the Galaxy Note II apart from the pack. Check out screenshots of the device that help distinguish it as the best Android smartphone available.

Gmail and email widgets on the Galaxy Note II. With the large display and customizable widgets there is a LOT you can do with the Note II.

Apps can be organized in folders on the Note II.

There is a large S Memo widgets available for the Note II.

More widgets, apps, and folders on the Galaxy Note II.

You can toggle on and off the Page Buddy utility that gives you home screen panels like this S Pen page.

You can do some fun things with the photo applications on the Galaxy Note II. I took this photo and made it black and white and then brought it into the S Memo application.

When you plug in your earphones, this home screen panel launches. It's called the Earphones page in Page buddy.

You can even customize these Page buddy home screen panels and as you can see I put all of the ways I listen to music on the earphones page.

Android data usage monitor is helpful for managing your data plan.

The wireless network control panel includes NFC and Bluetooth transfer management.

There are two modes for the home screen, created in an attempt to make using Android easy for new owners. There are easy and basic modes available.

Like the new iOS 6 software, you will find the Blocking Mode utility that lets you control notifications and other contact methods.

Vibration intensity settings can be managed in fine detail on the Galaxy Note II.

The sound utility lets you control fine aspects of sound on the Note II.

Galaxy Note II display settings. It is important to remember that you can tap on some of the toggle buttons to further setup some areas. For example, tapping on Page buddy enables it, but also gets you to another setup screen (seen in the next screenshot).

Page buddy setup screen on the Galaxy Note II.

There are not that many devices today that have LED indicator lights, but thankfully the Note II does. You can also control many aspects of the LED on the device.

I like that Samung devices let you customize the font settings, including font styles.

You can toggle on battery percentage. Note the percent indicator in the upper status bar.

View of the storage status on the Note II.

Smartphone enthusiasts will love that the Galaxy Note II has an external storage card slot that you can fill with a 64GB microSD card.

This screenshot shows the power saving mode settings on the Galaxy Note II.

You can view your battery consumption details as well.

Dive into the application manager if you need to manage your memory or remove apps.

Android devices have amazing Google Maps support so it helps to enable Google's location services in the settings.

There are a number of screen lock settings on the Galaxy Note II, including face unlock.

You have full control over your lock screen settings, including having some live data on the display.

More lock screen options on the Galaxy Note II.

IT managers will be happy to see all of the security settings on the Galaxy Note II.

Samsung acknowledges that the Note II is a large device so they give you several settings to help with one-handed operation.

Here is a screenshot of the one-handed dial keypad.

View of the one-handed keyboard on the Note II.

There is even a one-handed calculator utility.

One thing I love about Android is the ability to install different input methods, such as Swype.

Cloud syncing solutions are part of the settings right on the Note II.

Backup and reset settings for the Note II.

There are plenty of accounts you can setup and sync with on the Note II.

More accounts on the Note II.

Motion settings were seen previously on Samsung devices and they continue to innovate and lead in this area.

A few more motion settings.

Advanced settings on the Note II.

The S Pen is radically improved on the Galaxy Note II and I love that I will be reminded if the S Pen gets left behind.

Quick commands can be launched by simple gestures with the S Pen.

I love that Google Now is included on the Note II.

Google Now keeps me updated on my favorite soccer team and packages that are shipped to me.

It doesn't get much better than Google Maps on Android.

Gmail continues to be fantastic on Android devices.

Samsung picks has some great apps and information.

I purchased this $10 leather case from Amazon so I would have a way to watch movies on the large display.

This inexpensive leather case is actually quite well built and handy.

Back view of the Galaxy Note II in the case propped up for watching movies.

Front view of the Galaxy Note II in the case propped up for watching movies.

Matthew Miller started using a mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He is a co-host with GigaOM's Kevin Tofel on the MobileTechRoundup podcast and an author of three Wiley Companion series books. Matthew started using mobile devices with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned over 200 d...
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Disclosure

Matthew is a professional naval architect by day and a mobile gadgeteer at all other times. He purchases his own devices and then sells them on eBay or Swappa to buy more. Many other devices are sent for review on a 30-day loaner basis and then returned to the carrier or manufacturer. If any are provided as &#8220;long term loaner units&#8221 this will be clearly disclosed in his reviews.